T-Bass UK The Infection of Time (Download CDR) 10 tracks / 51.40 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'The Infection of Time')

Well it’s been nigh on 11 years since I first heard this album, even now though this album still sounds contemporary. ‘Storm Front’ is a very capable and energetic opener which displays the meticulous attention to every detail which has become a trademark of all T-Bass UK’s (and various spin-offs’) releases. There’s equal amount of attention paid to the complex arrangement of rhythms as to the finely paced and often infectios melodic synth lines. Then ‘Tranquility Bass’ appears and as I said in the original release “here’s where things get seriously good”. Any fans of 80’s TD will be very comfortable with the palette of sounds here, but T-Bass UK inject a sense of purpose and melodic infection which TD progressively chose not to (or were incapable of) as the years went by. The track builds purposefully on a wave of percussive beats and insistent sequencing to be joined by several synth layers which wave their way around the structure.

The title track employs more breathy synth voices which I personally never tire of listening to. The main theme is quite anthemic and has an optimistic and air which is uplifting. Set against the (fantastic!) electronic thunder effects it’s a bit like light shining through the clouds. Then the “piece de resistance” appears in the form of a superb lead solo which drives the track to a finish. Top stuff indeed! ‘Mariner’ offers a moody counterpoint to previous tracks, a doomy and powerful sequential beat is accompanied by strident synth themes and latent power seems to be the order of the day here. Back to uptempo thematics for ‘Ozone Park’ which effortlessly breezes along, while ‘Inferno’ is the most ambient piece on the album which shows that T-Bass UK can do atmospherics with the best of ‘em! ‘Four Wheel Jive’ returns to the fundamentals of this album with more fine melodics and rhythm, while ‘The Torch’ portrays a restrained beauty which works wonderfully well. ‘Network of the Heart’ is a stand-out track with a very different pallete of sounds used, especially the sax touches. ‘Lovesong’ ends appropriately on an upbeat note and overall I’m impressed how little this album has aged, if anything it has grown in stature which is always a good sign.